Wayman Tisdale Obituary

Wayman Tisdale, a three-time All-American at Oklahoma who played 12 seasons in the NBA, died after a two-year battle with cancer. He was 44.

Tisdale died Friday morning at St. John Medical Center in Tulsa, hospital spokeswoman Joy McGill said.

He learned of a cancerous cyst below his right knee after breaking his leg in a fall at his home in Los Angeles on Feb. 8, 2007. His leg was amputated last August. He made several public appearances since, including April 7 at an Oklahoma City Thunder game.

Tisdale, a 6-foot-9 forward from Tulsa with a soft left-handed touch, played in the NBA with the Indiana Pacers, Sacramento Kings and Phoenix Suns. He averaged 15.3 points for his career. He was on the U.S. team that won the gold medal in the 1984 Olympics.

After his basketball career, he became an award-winning jazz musician, with several albums making the top 10 on the Billboard charts. Last month, he was chosen for induction into the National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame.

Tisdale's death was announced on the Oklahoma Senate floor Friday by Senate Majority Leader Todd Lamb, who led the chamber in prayer.

"Whether you're a Cowboy or a Sooner, Oklahoma has lost a great ambassador," Lamb said. "He was a gifted musician, a gifted athlete and he just wore that well wherever he went."

Tisdale was the first freshman to be a first-team All-American since freshmen were allowed to play again in 1971-72.

He was also one of 10 three-time All-Americans: The others were Oscar Robertson, Bill Walton, Lew Alcindor, Pete Maravich, Patrick Ewing, Tom Gola, Jerry Lucas, David Thompson and Ralph Sampson. Ewing and Tisdale were the last to accomplish the feat, from 1983-85.

Tisdale played on an Olympic team that sailed to the gold medal in Los Angeles, winning its game by 32 points. The squad was coached by Bob Knight and featured the likes of Ewing, Michael Jordan, Sam Perkins and Chris Mullin.

Tisdale averaged 25.6 points and 10.1 rebounds during his three seasons with the Sooners, earning Big Eight Conference player of the year each season.

He still holds Oklahoma's career scoring record with 2,661 points and career rebounding record with 1,048. Tisdale also owns the school's single-game scoring mark, a 61-point outing against Texas-San Antonio as a sophomore, along with career records in points per game, field goals and free throws made and attempts..

Wayman Tisdale, a three-time All-American at Oklahoma who played 12 seasons in the NBA, died after a two-year battle with cancer. He was 44.

Tisdale died Friday morning at St. John Medical Center in Tulsa, hospital spokeswoman Joy McGill said.

He learned of a cancerous cyst below his right knee after breaking his leg in a fall at his home in Los Angeles on Feb. 8, 2007. His leg was amputated last August. He made several public appearances since, including April 7 at an Oklahoma City Thunder game.

Tisdale, a 6-foot-9 forward from Tulsa with a soft left-handed touch, played in the NBA with the Indiana Pacers, Sacramento Kings and Phoenix Suns. He averaged 15.3 points for his career. He was on the U.S. team that won the gold medal in the 1984 Olympics.

After his basketball career, he became an award-winning jazz musician, with several albums making the top 10 on the Billboard charts. Last month, he was chosen for induction into the National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame.

Tisdale's death was announced on the Oklahoma Senate floor Friday by Senate Majority Leader Todd Lamb, who led the chamber in prayer.

"Whether you're a Cowboy or a Sooner, Oklahoma has lost a great ambassador," Lamb said. "He was a gifted musician, a gifted athlete and he just wore that well wherever he went."

Tisdale was the first freshman to be a first-team All-American since freshmen were allowed to play again in 1971-72.

He was also one of 10 three-time All-Americans: The others were Oscar Robertson, Bill Walton, Lew Alcindor, Pete Maravich, Patrick Ewing, Tom Gola, Jerry Lucas, David Thompson and Ralph Sampson. Ewing and Tisdale were the last to accomplish the feat, from 1983-85.

Tisdale played on an Olympic team that sailed to the gold medal in Los Angeles, winning its game by 32 points. The squad was coached by Bob Knight and featured the likes of Ewing, Michael Jordan, Sam Perkins and Chris Mullin.

Tisdale averaged 25.6 points and 10.1 rebounds during his three seasons with the Sooners, earning Big Eight Conference player of the year each season.

He still holds Oklahoma's career scoring record with 2,661 points and career rebounding record with 1,048. Tisdale also owns the school's single-game scoring mark, a 61-point outing against Texas-San Antonio as a sophomore, along with career records in points per game, field goals and free throws made and attempts..

Guest Book Highlights

"I just learned that you have passed by watching the movie about your life and career. I'm so sad. I absolutely love your music. Although I'm not a sports fan, I know that you were gifted in that field, too. Thank you for sharing your gifts with..."- Toni (Morristown, NJ)

"Yes wyman tisdale was a great ball player , musician, a great man. What a wonderful smile, it was good to hear him say his role model was his father. Rip brother love u always."- darlene Henderson (Hampton, VA)

"Sadden for the family loss, the years as come and gone. May the family find continue peace from the God of all comfort."- Evans Family

"Wayman, my heart is sad, you were and still are a spiritual inspiration and a favorite player of mine. Every 4th of July, Mark West's family, our friends and my family get together in your honor. Your sudden death still makes me sad til this day...."- Jonathan P (phoenix, AZ)

"i just saw the story about you on tv. i just your family to know my heart is full of love to have even been able to see his beautiful smile. it warmed my soul."

Other obituaries

Published in The Arizona Republic from May 15 to May 20, 2009

TULSA, Okla. - Former Phoenix Suns standout Wayman Tisdale has died at 44 after fighting cancer the past two years.
St. John Medical Center in Tulsa, Oklahoma, says he died Friday morning.
The...
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Wherever Wayman Tisdale went, whatever he was doing, chances were he was smiling.
Tisdale was a three-time All-American at Oklahoma in the mid-1980s before playing a dozen years in the NBA and...
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Published in The Sacramento Bee from May 15 to May 18, 2009

Wayman Tisdale, a former Sacramento King who became a noted musician after his NBA playing career ended, succumbed to cancer May 15 at age 44.
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Published in The Wichita Eagle on May 17, 2009

Tisdale, Wayman L., Sr., former N.B.A. player and Jazz great, after 44 seasons, "Finished Early" on Friday morning, May 15, 2009 from a Tulsa Hospital. The Celebratory Service of Remembrance will...
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